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March 2, 2010
Special Session 7:10 pm
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
Continuation of a Street Acceptance Hearing re: Windsong Way
Mr. Kennedy appeared with before and after pictures of the hydrant on Windsong Way demonstrating that the shrub had been removed as requested.
Voted - to recommend the laying out of Windsong Way, a way beginning at a point at the intersection of Gardner Street, extending 500 feet, more or less, in a southerly direction as shown on plan entitled: “As Built Plan, Gardner Woods, Hingham, MA dated 9/30/08, prepared by Neil Murphy Assoc.”
In other business, the Board also considered a new fee structure recommended by the Fire Chief. These fees had not been reviewed in some time and did not reflect the actual cost of the service. It is expected that the increases will generate between $10,000 and $15,000 additional revenue.
Voted - to approve the new fee structure for permits and fees as recommended by the Fire Chief.
The Board joined the Advisory Committee and School Committee for a discussion of the use of the stimulus money. The joint statement issued last year indicated that the expected $965,000 in stimulus money less any cut in state aid during FY 2010 would be used to mitigate the impact of the tax override, if that was permissible under the conditions of the grant State aid has been reduced by $400,000 in circuit breaker funds and $137,000 in other aid.
Mr. Nelligan representing the Town’s auditing firm of Powers and Sullivan explained that the ARRA money is required to be spent on education and cannot be earmarked for tax relief. It is entirely permissible, however, to use that money for education resulting in less use of town funds thereby freeing up general fund monies. Counsel to the Town Jim Toomey agreed that the stimulus money could be used to supplant education budget but cannot be put in a rainy day fund.
The Board left the Advisory Committee meeting and continued its session to discuss the budget.
Meeting adjourned 9:00 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk